Despite having been one of Tottenham Hotspur's standout performers this season, Yves Bissouma briefly turned to villain during Spurs' clash with Luton Town prior to the international break.
Having already been cautioned for a cynical foul in his own half, the midfielder then earned a second yellow card for diving just before half-time. It was a moment of stupidity that didn't prove costly for Ange Postecoglou's side as Spurs beat Luton and won their subsequent match with Fulham for which Bissouma was suspended.
However, the Mali international is not out of the woods just yet. Despite serving a one-game ban for his red card against the Hatters, Bissouma is at risk of getting himself suspended again this Friday against Crystal Palace.
Why Yves Bissouma must avoid a yellow card against Crystal Palace
Bissouma went to Kenilworth Road prior to the international period already walking a tightrope. The former Brighton man was on four yellow cards in the Premier League, knowing a fifth would hand him a one-game suspension due to the strict rules in the English top flight.
However, the red card Bissouma was shown supplanted the initial yellow card he received, meaning the 27-year-old remains on four yellow cards.
As a result, Bissouma will earn himself another one-match ban should he pick up another yellow card against Crystal Palace, or any booking between now and Tottenham's 19th game of the league season when the suspension threshold rises to ten yellow cards.
Given Tottenham have played just nine games this season, Bissouma will have to avoid a booking in his next ten matches - something that seems unlikely given his disciplinary record. Bissouma has been awarded 37 yellow cards in 143 Premier League matches since he arrived in the division back in 2018, an average of one in just under every four matches.
If he picks up a yellow card against Palace this Friday, he will miss Tottenham's London derby with Chelsea a little over a week later.
Which other Spurs players are close to suspension?
While Bissouma remains the only Tottenham player one yellow card away from suspension, the Lilywhites do have several players nearing a one-match ban.
In fact, Bissouma's replacement for Monday's 2-0 win against Fulham, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, picked up a yellow card against the Cottagers, taking his tally to three for the season. Young left-back Destiny Udogie is also two bookings away from a ban having faced some tricky wingers this season.
Richarlison, James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr, Ivan Perisic and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all on two bookings each.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Why Yves Bissouma must avoid yellow card in Crystal Palace clash.
